It was unveiled last Tuesday, and after the huge success of the launched one year ago – the fastest selling model in Triumph 115-year history – one could wonder if Triumph would be able to create another hit in such a short time. And the company didn’t disappoint, offering a Cruiser with brutally beautiful lines inspired by the brand 50”s and 60’s iconic models. What many people call pure Classic English Styling.

Yes, the Speedmaster is as shiny as the Bobber is dark, and borrows the same twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 1200cc 270-degree-crank, Bonneville T120 engine in the same rigid looking chassis and swingarm. It provide 25% more power and an amazing 42% more torque than previous Speedmaster and America models. Gas tank is typical Bonneville shape, but in an almost 1-gallon larger capacity to 3.3 gallons for an average cruising range of 176 miles, claims Triumph.

Like the Bobber Black, the Speedmaster rolls on fat 16” front and rear wire-spoke wheels slowed by Brembo brakes. But suspension was tuned with 41 mm front forks and a rear suspension optimized for a passenger weight with a dual-rate main spring and a top-out spring. ABS, traction control, riding modes (rain and road), ride-by-wire, and torque-assist clutch all come standard as with the Bobber model. But the Speedmaster features a standard cruise control.

Triumph announced not less than 130 genuine after-market parts to fit the Speedmaster. For touring, it can be dressed with a windscreen and larger bags . And for purists, fitted with a solo seat kit and some blackout parts to emphasize the bike retro DNA.

Offering good OOMPH in a vintage relax style, it looks to me like the Triumph Speedmaster, as a modern classic, could become a serious competitor of a couple of new 2018 Harley Softails and of the Polaris Indian Scout. But its price is not set yet….The bike will be in dealerships early 2018.

i like it. plays well against the more aggressive looking bobber. h-d’s response appears “survival of the fittest.” move to india, where readily available mc industry resources appear to be shifting. (reminded of jeff bezos’ choice of seattle in the 90’s for growing amazon — for its plentiful software design resources from microsoft.)

Well, I like the looks of this Triumph. I don’t know how the two sixteen inch wheels would handle, though. The whole thing about the classic Triumphs was their lighter weight and easy handling. I like it that they have accessories ready for it.